We possibly live in one of the most critical periods of our lifetime.

The coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic is the defining global health crisis of our time and the greatest challenge we have faced since World War Two. We have now reached the tragic milestone of more than two and half million deaths, and the human family is suffering under an almost intolerable burden of loss.

But the pandemic is much more than a health crisis, it's also an unprecedented socio-economic crisis. Stressing every one of the countries it touches, it has the potential to create devastating social, economic and political effects that will leave deep and longstanding scars. Every day, people are losing jobs and income, with no way of knowing when normality will return - and we are yet to see the effects of it on our future lives. At the same time countries fighting against the pandemic, make heavy decisions to control the virus spread - by controlling and discouraging population movement - and even though the first vaccinations are on place there is still a long way to go.

Such actions bring economic stagnation, degradation of mental health, and impact essential social services. This global crisis has devastating regional effects, countries are facing recessions as local businesses fail due to social isolation strategies and Individuals are fronting unprecedented strains on their personal lives. These crucial moments people driven innovation needs to play a principal role, not only in a international level but also in a regional level aiming to identify solutions to challenges our society faces.

- Therefore presenting Hack the Pandemic - an online hackathon with the mission to design, test and execute ideas on everyday challenges generated during this pandemic. 

Hack the Pandemic is a 3 day cyber event coordinated by Sustainability InnoCenter following a Hackers approach, that has a main goal to identify relevant regional challenges withdrawn by the COVID-19 global crisis – and together with all interested parties and partners, build up teams of multidisciplinary skills and create solutions to these challenges.

In this critical moment, our duty is to work altogether and initiate solutions to one of the biggest crises of our lifetime - and a broad participation of actors, as public organisations, academia, industry and smaller SME’s is vital.

Be part of the solution ...our society needs us….!

The first three winning entries, will have a unique opportunity to work on their ideas together with our fantastic partners, and bring their solutions to next stage.

Starting date: Registrations can start already now!

Final date for presentations: 23rd of April 2021

Where: Digital so no limits or place restrictions

The Sustainabilty Hackathon event  is organised by Sustainability InnoCenter  

Code of behaviour

All attendees, sponsors, partners, volunteers and staff at our hackathon are required to agree with the following code of conduct. Organisers will enforce this code throughout the event. We expect cooperation from all participants to ensure a safe environment for everybody.

Our hackathon is dedicated to providing a safe and comfortable environment and harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of the following:

• gender
• gender identity and expression
• age
• sexual orientation
• disability
• physical appearance
• body size
• race
• ethnicity
• nationality
• religion
• political views
• previous hackathon attendance or lack of
• computing experience or lack of
• chosen programming language or tech stack

We do not tolerate harassment of hackathon participants in any form. Sexual language and imagery is not appropriate at any hackathon venue, this includes the following.

• hacks
• talks, presentations, or demos
• workshops
• any parties associated to the hackathon
• social media
• any other online media

In General

Hackathon participants violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the hackathon without a refund (if applicable) at the discretion of the hackathon organisers.

Harassment includes offensive verbal comments related to gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, nationality, religion or political views, sexual images in public spaces, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, photography or audio/video recording against reasonable consent, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention.

Photography is encouraged, but other participants must be given a reasonable chance to opt out from being photographed. If they object to the taking of their photograph, comply with their request. It is inappropriate to take photographs in contexts where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy (in bathrooms or where participants are sleeping).

Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.As this is a hackathon, we like to explicitly note that the hacks created at our hackathon are equally subject to the anti-harassment policy.

Sponsors and partners are also subject to the anti-harassment policy. In particular, sponsors should not use sexualised images, activities, or other material. Sponsor representatives (including volunteers) should not use sexualised clothing/uniforms/costumes, or otherwise create a sexualised environment.If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact a member of hackathon staff immediately.

Hackathon staff will be happy to help participants contact any local security or local law enforcement, provide escorts, or otherwise assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe for the duration of the hackathon. 

We value your attendance.If a participant engages in harassing behavior, the hackathon organisers may take any action they deem appropriate. This includes warning the offender, expulsion from the hackathon with no refund (if applicable), or reporting their behaviour to local law enforcement.We expect participants to follow these rules at hackathon and workshop venues and hackathon-related social events.